HEALTHBEHAVIOURINSCHOOL-AGEDCHILDREN

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION COLLABORATIVE CROSS-NATIONAL SURVEY

HBSC News

News Item: HBSC Network publishes: Dance is the new Metal: Adolescent music preferences and substance use across Europe.

This study examined relationships between music preferences and substance use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis) among fifteen-year-olds from 10 European countries. Preferences for Dance (house/trance and techno/hardhouse) were positively associated with substance use in contrast to preferences for mainstream Pop and classical and jazz music. In three countries, links were identified between substance use and liking Rock (rock, heavy metal punk/hardcore, and gothic). Associations between Urban (hip-hop and R&B) and substance use were mixed. No substantial gender differences were evident, and controlling for relevant covariates did not reduce the predictive value of substance use. The findings are consistent with the conclusion that music is a robust marker of adolescent substance use.